For the 2024 festive period, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has produced some quick tips for both charities and donors to help everyone donate and contribute to Scottish charities and the excellent work they do with confidence.

This work was prompted by recent media reports which highlighted a small number of incidents where money has been stolen or embezzled from charities. OSCR is keen to help members of the public who are considering how they can ensure their intended donation is in safe hands, as a result of these reports which reflect a small section of the sector.

By following these guidelines, OSCR hopes that both charities and donors feel they can help ensure that donations are used effectively and securely this festive season.

For charities:

Make sure the charity is up-to-date with its filing so that your charity’s entry on the Scottish Charity Register shows you are meeting your responsibilities.
Any fundraisers for your charity should always make it clear who they are and that they are raising money for your charity – equip them with information and training to help give confidence to donors.
Make sure you have good internal controls on your finances including those with access to your bank accounts.

For donors:

Check the charity’s name and registration number on the Scottish Charity Register here.
Make sure the charity is genuine before providing any of your personal information.
Be careful when responding to emails or clicking on links within them.
Contact or find out more online about the charity that you’re seeking to donate to or work with to understand how they are spending their funds.

For further information, please visit the OSCR website.